Phase 10 By Willow By Willow on Aug 27, 2008 - Updated Oct 15, 2011

When I was first introduced to Phase 10, I thought it was a bit too complicated: each player held way too many cards in their hand, and they all kept re-checking what "phase" they were playing and how to do it. However, the game is far easier than it may first seem, as I have found out.

The game includes color-coded cards with numbers, and there are 10 phases each player must complete. Each phase requires collecting a certain combination of cards. Everyone starts the same, but then some players complete the phase, and some may not be able to. So while those who have completed it progress to Phase 2, the others must still work on Phase 1 during the next hand. That's where the fun starts.

Phase 10 can be played for hours, and it never gets boring. I have seen parents, grandparents, and kids play it together with equal pleasure. It is a smart and fun game for all generations.